Imagine being diagnosed with one of the most aggressive brain cancers known to medicine, only to discover that your chances of survival might hinge on something as arbitrary as your zip code. This is the stark reality for many patients battling glioblastoma, a relentless disease that defies standard treatments and leaves families desperate for hope. But here's where it gets even more complicated: a groundbreaking study reveals that the distance between a patient’s home and a specialized cancer center could be a matter of life and death.
Glioblastoma is a formidable adversary. It grows rapidly, evolves constantly, and resists even the most advanced therapies. “We still don’t fully understand why it behaves this way,” explains Dr. Rachna Malani, an investigator at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah. “The brain is a protected organ, and this cancer’s ability to adapt makes it incredibly challenging to treat.”
A recent study published in Neurology (https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000208362) by researchers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute sheds light on this issue. The team analyzed data from 167 glioblastoma patients treated between 2018 and 2022, categorizing them based on their proximity to a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center:
- Near: 0–25 miles
- Intermediate: 25–40 miles
- Far: more than 40 miles
The findings are eye-opening. After adjusting for factors like age and overall health, researchers discovered that patients living farther from these centers were significantly less likely to enroll in clinical trials—a critical lifeline for glioblastoma patients. And this is the part most people miss: survival rates also dipped for those in the intermediate group compared to their closer counterparts.
“Distance isn’t just a logistical hurdle—it’s a barrier to better outcomes,” emphasizes Dr. Malani. “It’s not just about the tumor; it’s about the challenges patients face when they’re miles away from the care they desperately need.”
Clinical trials are often the best shot glioblastoma patients have. “Current treatments only extend survival by a few months,” notes Dr. Joe Mendez, a neuro-oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and co-author of the study. “Trials are how we push the boundaries of what’s possible and improve outcomes.”
But here’s the controversial part: Is it fair that access to potentially life-saving trials depends on where you live? The study found that only 18% of patients living farthest from a center enrolled in trials, compared to 43% of those living nearby. This disparity raises urgent questions about healthcare equity and the need to expand access beyond urban hubs.
Trials aren’t just about experimentation—they offer patients cutting-edge treatments and personalized care from multidisciplinary teams. “Participating in a trial doesn’t make you a guinea pig,” Dr. Mendez clarifies. “It means you’re part of a collaborative effort to fight your cancer while advancing science.”
This research is among the first to quantify how geography impacts glioblastoma outcomes and trial participation. For patients, it underscores the importance of seeking care at specialized centers. For healthcare systems, it’s a call to action: How can we bridge the gap for those in rural or underserved areas?
Adding another layer to this discussion, a study published in Neuro-Oncology Practice (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12508737/) by Dr. Randy Jensen and colleagues examined how rurality and socioeconomic status affect glioblastoma treatment and survival. They found that while patients in frontier Utah faced greater socioeconomic barriers, their overall survival wasn’t significantly worse. However, lower socioeconomic status was linked to reduced access to adjuvant therapies after surgery.
“Our mission is to bring comprehensive cancer care—and the hope it carries—to everyone,” says Dr. Mendez. “At Huntsman Cancer Institute, we’re investing in specialists, research, and teams dedicated to giving patients their best chance.”
But the question remains: Are we doing enough to ensure that geography and socioeconomic status don’t dictate who gets a fighting chance? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of cancer care.
For more details, explore the studies here:
- Samantha Kropp et al, The Impact of Distance in Treating Glioblastoma: A Retrospective Single Center Study (P10-6.016), Neurology (2025). DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000208362 (https://dx.doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000208362)
- Emma R Earl et al, An analysis of the influence of social determinants of health on treatment and survival among adult patients with high-grade glioma in Utah, Neuro-Oncology Practice (2025). DOI: 10.1093/nop/npaf029 (https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nop/npaf029)
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